A Belmont congregation is fighting a plan that could change the name of its church. Members of Our Lady of Mount Carmel say they were

THE BRONX - A Belmont congregation is fighting a plan that could change the name of its church.

Members of Our Lady of Mount Carmel say they were told during Mass last Sunday that the church may be combining with another house of worship, and that could lead to a renaming.

Parishioners believe the move is part of a plan the Archdiocese of New York called "Making All Things New." It involves churches in the diocese working together, with potential changes that include sharing ministers, consolidating parishes and even closing some churches.

Mount Carmel members say they aren't opposed to merging with another congregation, but they want to keep their church's name because it represents their neighborhood's rich Italian history and traditions.

The archdiocese says a final decision on the recommendations will be made sometime in early September in Belmont.